Category: Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

City Council Meeting

City of Butler, Pennsylvania

September 24, 2015

Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Kline, Schontz and May were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Deacon Mitch Natali, St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE AWARD:

Dunkin’ Donuts, 236 N. Main Street

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Hobson McKown, Pennsylvania Land Patent Limited, discussed procedures concerning purchasing city properties that were in default.

Mark Krenitsky discussed issues on Shore Street, the demolition budget and tax rates.

Bobbie Zeigler thanked CM May and Chief Brown for their efforts in the island area.  She asked that the police keep making a presence in that area.

Motion by CM Schontz with second from CW Kline to approve the minutes of Regular meeting of August 27 and special meetings of September 2, 2015 and September 14, 2015.  All voted aye.

MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

(Note:  Department Reports Distributed to Council at Tuesday’s Forum Meeting for Review)

Department reports for the month of August were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on September 22, 2015:

The Civil Service Commission, represented by Dr. Henry Sinopoli, adopted the 2015 Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilwoman Readie

1. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2015-09-24; the City of Butler’s Fair Housing Resolution. Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

2. Motion to accept a proposal and award a contract to Bronder Technical Services, Inc. of Butler, Pennsylvania, for traffic signal maintenance for 2016 and 2017 at an annual cost of $37,750 and $37,750, respectively. Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

Councilman Schontz

3. Motion to direct the City Clerk to seek proposals for limestone, asphalt and petroleum products for Fiscal Year 2016 with such proposals due not later than 2:00 PM on November 16th.  Prices will also be sought from the ShaCOG.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

4. Motion to install a Stop sign at the corner of Mackey Avenue and Chimest Street on a 90-day trial basis.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

5. Motion to authorize the City Clerk to begin the hiring process to fill the position of Code Enforcement Officer for fiscal year 2016.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

Councilman May

6. Motion to approve an appraisal to be performed by Nicklas King McConahy & Co. for the Zeigler Avenue Playground, in the amount of $1,000.00.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

Mayor Donaldson

7. Motion to ratify a revision to the City’s Civil Service Rules and Regulations governing the hiring of entry-level police officers and firefighters, as well as promotions within the respective department.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

8. Based on recommendation from his chain of command and satisfactory completion of   his probationary period, motion to grant permanent employment status as of September 23, 2015 to Patrol Officer Jason K. Gueck.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

9. Motion to increase the indebtedness of the City of Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania by the issue of a Guaranty of a Credit Facility to be provided to the Butler City Parks, Recreation and Facilities Authority in the amount of $325,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing Kelly Automotive Park.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

10. Motion that in the event of a vacated Captain’s position, the position of Detective no longer needs to be the rank of Captain.  Detective position may be Lieutenant in exchange for the return of the 5th position of Sargent and the remaining Captain may hold any position.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

The City Treasurer presented Council with the Account Balance Report and the Monthly Intake Report for August, 2015 electronically.

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $209,363.55; from the capital projects fund – $31,748.70; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $3,868.30 for a grand total of $244,980.55. Motion by CW Kline with second from CW Readie to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

• ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• WISR City Hall –  Mayor Donaldson and Councilman Schontz
• Trick or Treat will be held on October 31, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• The Butler Bureau of Fire received a grant in the amount of $127,000.00 to be used for equipment

Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:47 PM.

MINUTES

City Council Meeting

City of Butler, Pennsylvania

September 14, 2015

Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Kline, Schontz and May were present.  

City Council, acting as the Board of Health, and under the provisions of the Third Class City Code, Section XXIII, (b) Abatement of Public Nuisances, Section 2321, found the following subject structure detrimental to public health and ordered its removal by demolition:

319 E. Jefferson Street

Motion by Mayor Donaldson.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

Councilman Schontz

1. Motion to install a three-way stop at the intersection of West Vogely and South Jackson Street on a 90-day trial basis.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

Mayor Donaldson

2.  Motion to award Contract #1 for the General Construction of the Centre City Parking Garage to Thomas Construction, Inc. for $3,975,900.  The Performance Bond to be issued by Thomas Construction, Inc., shall be a dual obligee bond naming the City of Butler and Butler Hotel Properties, LP.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

3.  Motion to award Contract #2 for the Electrical of the Centre City Parking Garage to Merit Electrical Group, Inc. in the amount of $188,325.  Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

4.  Motion to award Contract #4 for the Plumbing of the Centre City Parking Garage to Reno Bros Mechanical Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $54,056.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

5.  Motion to approve a change order for the contracts with Thomas Construction, Inc. and Merit Electrical Group, Inc. and Reno Bros Mechanical Contractors, Inc.; changing the time for completion the work from 10 months to 12 months.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

6.  Motion to extend the contract with Gateway Engineering to assist the City with the construction phase of the Centre City Parking Garage for the Testing, Construction Manager Assistance and Engineering Review work at a cost not to exceed $150,000.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:25 PM.

MINUTES

City Council Meeting

City of Butler, Pennsylvania

September 2, 2015

Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Kline, and Schontz were present.  

Michael Foreman, Local Government Policy Specialist from the PA Department of Community & Economic Development met with council to review the cash projection as of July 31, 2015.  

Recommendations for the remainder of 2015 are to eliminate all discretionary spending.  

There was discussion about issues to be considered while planning the 2016 budget.  Mr. Foreman will be back on November 9th to meet with council again to review the proposed 2016 budget.

No action taken.

Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 11:46 AM.

MINUTES

City Council Meeting

City of Butler, Pennsylvania

August 27, 2015

Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Kline, Schontz and May were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Tara Lynn, Grace at Calvary Church.

PRESENTATIONS:

Eagle Scout Candidate Kirkland Porter presented the completion of his project to rehab Ritts Park basketball court.

Nick Falgione from PNC discussed the timeline for the bond issue and requested council’s direction to proceed with the sale of bonds on September 10, 2015.

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Susan Drolet Coneybeer, Wellness Works, discussed the residential parking impact on her business.

Rebeccah Slade, Wellness Works, discussed the limited parking around the health care facility.

Philip Schiedel, a resident, discussed imposing unnecessary parking restrictions; N. McKean and E. Penn Streets and the use of the police department for parking issues.

Cynthia Fyllingness, a resident, is grateful for the residential parking regulations.

Bobbie Ziegler, a resident from the Island, voiced concerns over a growing problem in her neighborhood.

Debbie Bicker discussed issues concerning trailers parked for long periods of time that block roads.

Motion by CM May with second from CM Schontz to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of July 23, 2015 and the special meetings held on August 5, 2015, August 11, 2015 and August 17, 2015.  All voted aye.

MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

(Note:  Department Reports Distributed to Council at Tuesday’s Forum Meeting for Review)

Department reports for the month of July were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on August 25, 2015:

1.  City Council, acting as the Board of Health, and under the provisions of the Third Class City Code, Section XXIII, (b) Abatement of Public Nuisances, Section 2321, found the following subject structure detrimental to public health and ordered its removal by demolition: 511 Polk Street

Motion by CW Readie.  Second by CM May.   All voted aye.

2.  Councilwoman Kline made a motion to approve the conditional hiring of Debra Oyler for the position of Clerk Bookkeeper/Deputy Treasurer in the Office of the City Treasurer.

Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilwoman Kline

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1715; an ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending Part One, Chapter 57 (Officers and Employees Pension Plan) of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler to amend Article VIII; Termination of Employment; §57-35; Deferred Retirement Benefit, A.

Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

2. Motion to approve the 2016 Minimum Municipal Obligations for the City’s three pension plans as follows:  for the Firefighters Pension Plan – $183,178 and for the Police Pension Plan – $186,543 and the Officers and Employees Pension Plan – $30,254.

Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

3. Motion to authorize the City Solicitor to prepare an Ordinance to Amend the Officers’ & Employees’ Pension Plan as to permit Participants to purchase up to 3 years of service as part-time employees, provided they are age 60 and retire on or before December 31, 2015.  Second by CM Schontz.  CW Kline voted no.  CM Schontz, CM May and Mayor Donaldson voted aye.

Councilman Schontz

4. Motion to approve City Resolution 2015 – 08 – 27 revising the City’s administrative fee schedule as of January 1, 2015.  Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

5. Motion to approve a block party on Eau Claire Street from Second St. to Reo St. on Sunday, September 6, 2015 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

6.  Motion to create “Residential Parking Only” for the following streets on a 90 day trial basis:

• South Cliff Street from East Birch Street to East Cunningham Street
• North Sixth Avenue from Pine Street to Wood Street
• Charles Street from North Cedar Street to North McKean Street

Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

7.  Motion to install a “Caution Blind Girl Lives Here” sign at 424 W. Cunningham Street on a 90 day trial basis.  Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.

8.  Motion to create a “Loading Zone” at the corner of W. Cunningham Street and S. Jackson Street on a 90 day trial basis.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

Councilman May

9. Motion to approve the request from the Main Street Promotions Committee for use of the West New Castle Street Plaza for the Butler City Farmers’ Market on September 9th and September 23rd from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

Mayor Donaldson

10. Motion to update the City of Butler’s Open Records Policy Statement. Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

11. Motion to approve a Cooperation Agreement Regarding the City of Butler Centre City Tax Increment Financing District, contingent upon review and approval of the Final Draft by the Solicitor.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

The City Treasurer presented Council with the Account Balance Report and the Monthly Intake Report for July, 2015 electronically.

In absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $313,096.03; from the capital projects fund – $223,565.27; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $4,130.61 for a grand total of $540,791.91. Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CM May to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

• ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• WISR City Hall – Mayor Donaldson and Councilman Schontz.
• City Building will be closed Monday, September 7th & Friday, September 11th

Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:59 PM.

MINUTES

City Council Meeting

City of Butler, Pennsylvania

August 17, 2015

Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Kline, Schontz and May were present.

Mayor Donaldson

1. Motion to enter into an agreement with Merit Electrical Group to extend time for the acceptance of their bid for Contract #2, general electric, for the Centre City Parking Garage until September 30, 2015.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

2. Motion to enter into an agreement with Reno Bros Mechanical Contractors to extend time for the acceptance of their bid for Contract #4, plumbing, for the Centre City Parking Garage until September 30, 2015.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

3. Motion to enter into an agreement with Thomas Construction, Inc. to extend time for the acceptance of their bid for Contract #1, general construction, for the Centre City Parking Garage until September 30, 2015.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:14 PM.